Tube help

[tenoraddict]

We'll be in London for 3 days, and I'm confused about the Oyster Cards. First, the OCs are better than pay as you go, right? If not, please let me know. I know DSs 10 and 7 ride for free, and DS 12 qualifies for a discounted rate. But do they need photo cards? Because I've waited too long to apply now...I don't have the necessary 3 weeks to process the photo application.

I'm not sure how to navigate all of this - help!

Thanks.

You don't need a photo for an Oyster card. They are much cheaper and easier than getting a ticket for every journey. But you do need to complete an application form which you can get from stations and newsagents. You put credit on them like you do for a payg mobile phone so try and estimate quite accurately how much credit you'll need. But I would double check about kids riding free? I know they do on buses, just am not 100% certain about the tube.

We all have oyster cards and never had to complete an application form. Has this changed? Im sure we just bought the cards for something like £3 or £5 at a station then loaded them up at the machine. I understand children under 11 travel for free on the tube.

Here's the link where it says that 10 and Unders ride free (when travleing with a paying or Oyster-card holding adult) and 11-15s get the child rate if they have an OC. So I would need to get an OC for myself, DH, and DS12, right? Am I understanding it correctly?

And I don't need to pre-buy? I can just purchase them at a station?

Yes, one each for everyone who pays for their fares (that is interesting to know re. under 10 y/os thank you). Sorry, I can't tell you if you can buy them on the spot - I got mine in advance from a local newsagent and there was an application form to complete. Dh got one about 18 months ago, same process.

I got 2 x 1 day travelcards for myself last Thursday/Friday - was delighted to find out that all 3 DS's (9,6 and 2) were free on the tube or bus.